News
Death Row Survivor, Victim Family Member to Speak at CSU
As Ohio prepares to resume executions after a nearly three-year hiatus, Amnesty International and Ohioans to Stop Executions are collaborating to educate and mobilize Clevelanders to reject the death penalty. Cleveland State University students and the public will hear a panel of experts Thursday evening (Nov 17 at 6pm), including Ohio death row survivor Kwame […]
Ohio legislators should enact proposed death-penalty reforms: Bob Taft, former Ohio govenor
When I ran for governor in 1998, I hadn’t given a great deal of thought to the duty I would be assuming to review clemency requests in death penalty cases. I campaigned on education, job creation and environmental issues.
However, as Governor I spent a lot of time reviewing the clemency cases that came before me. The death penalty is irreversible, and I wanted to make certain there was no question about guilt and no procedural errors.
Grave doubts raised about validity and reliability of convictions; independent investigation while halting executions is most appropriate action
In the wake of court filings seeking a new trial in the case of Kevin Keith, a man sentenced to death in 1994, Ohioans to Stop Executions calls on Governor John Kasich and Attorney General Mike DeWine to halt executions and conduct an independent investigation to ensure no additional miscarriages of justice go unabated. Kevin […]
Wrongfully convicted man, Supreme Court Justice argue for ending Ohio death penalty
After a nearly three-year legal fight over the drugs used in lethal injections, the state of Ohio plans to resume executions in January. Some, including the man who wrote the current death penalty law, say it’s time for the ultimate punishment to meet its own end.
Former Ohio Attorney General Joins OTSE Board
Jim & Nancy Petro Bring New Perspectives to Leading Anti-Death Penalty Group Jim and Nancy Petro were elected to the board of directors of Ohioans to Stop Executions on Saturday, bringing a wealth of experience and unique perspectives to the 27-year-old anti-death penalty organization. “We are thrilled to have Jim and Nancy serve on the […]
From lethal injection to nitro asphyxia in Ohio?
Ohio last conducted an execution by lethal injection in January 2014, Dennis McGuire gasping, his death coming after an uncommonly long 25 minutes. The state plans to resume executions at the start of next year. The hurdle is, it still struggles to acquire the necessary drugs to perform the death sentence. Read more at Ohio.com
Jim Petro commentary: Death penalty is in decline, but problems remain
“As Ohio attorney general, I oversaw 18 executions in accordance with Ohio law. As a state legislator before that, I helped write Ohio’s current death-penalty law. We thought maybe it would be a deterrent. Maybe the death penalty would provide cost savings to Ohio. What I know now is that we were wrong. What I […]
Dispatch Reporter Has Watched Twenty Men Die
For 17 years, Alan Johnson has reported on Ohio’s executions. It’s a role he’s had to fight for. And one he’d rather not have. via Columbus Monthly